Chapter 2

After my dad passed away, my mom packed up bags and bags, saying that after raising me for so long, it was time for her to come enjoy the good life in the big city.

But she didn't even make it into the complex before security mistook her for a thief and detained her.

When I arrived, my mom was being pinned against a wall by a security guard. Her hair was disheveled, and she was flailing wildly.

"Let me go! My daughter lives here! What right do you have to grab me?!"

People around us were holding up their phones, pointing and whispering.

"That lady was climbing over the fence just now, acting so shady. She definitely looks like trouble."

"No decent person would do that. I heard thieves these days target fancy neighborhoods."

"She's pretty quick on her feet, probably a veteran."

"Bullshit! I'm not a thief!" My mom struggled violently, spitting on the ground. "Get my daughter! I want my daughter!"

I walked over. The security guard saw me and looked like I was his savior.

His neck and face were covered in bleeding scratches; she'd clearly put up a fight.

"Are you family?" the guard asked me.

I nodded.

"She didn't have an access card and insisted on forcing her way in. I told her visitor registration was an option, but then she refused when I asked for her ID!" The guard's face was flushed with anger. "She took a detour to climb the fence and was mistaken for a thief by patrol. Not only was she foul-mouthed, but she hit me!"

"So what if I hit you! You worthless security guard, who do you think you are! How dare you stop me? I'm going to report you!"

My mom yelled, her face pressed against the wall, twisting her head back.

The guard's face darkened.

"Call the police," I told the guard. "You shouldn't have to put up with this for nothing."

The guard was stunned.

"After all, experience teaches you instantly." I shrugged indifferently. "So let's make sure she learns her lesson."

That's when my mom finally spotted me.

"You little brat, say that again?!" Her voice shot up, piercingly sharp. "Your own mother is being bullied like this, and you're siding with an outsider! Do you have no conscience?"

"Do you know how hard it was for me to raise you? Your dad just died, and you treat me like this? If you'd come out and picked me up earlier, would I have had to climb the fence? Did you even give me an access card?"

"I did."

My mom didn't react immediately.

"I gave it to you on Dad's funeral day. It was on your nightstand."

She opened her mouth, her eyes blank, then a look of sudden realization dawned on her.

"You ungrateful girl! You didn't even remind me! I thought it was just some useless ad flyer and already threw it away!"

"Remind you?" I chuckled. "Mom, don't you always say that you only learn when you suffer a loss? I was just trying to help you develop your organizational skills. Experience teaches you instantly; next time, you'll remember to put things in their proper place."